After Shigella Outbreak Sickens 194, Mariscos San Juan Reopens

After being linked to a Shigella outbreak that sickened 194 people, Mariscos San Juan restaurant #3 on 205 N. 4th Street in San Jose reopened today. The restaurant was cleared to reopen by health officials after sanitizing the facility and throwing away all food.

Health officials have not been able to discover the source of the bacteria that sickened customers who visited the restaurant on Friday October 16th or Saturday, October 17th. One employee was also among those sickened, but health authorities don’t believe the employee was the source of the contamination.

Shigellosis does not have a “season.” Although Shigella can affect people of all ages, young children are at greatest risk. Outbreaks are most often associated with daycare or child care centers. Nationwide, about 500,000 cases of shigellosis are reported each year.

Symptoms of shigellosis usually develop between 24 and 48 hours after exposure. They include diarrhea that can sometimes be bloody, fever, abdominal pain, vomiting and tenesmus, or the painful sensation of needing to pass stools even when bowels are empty.

Symptoms usually last about a week, but it could take several months before bowel habits return to normal. Shigellosis can cause serious illness and death. Patients with severe diarrhea or vomiting can become dehydrated and require immediate medical attention to prevent shock.

Several people sickened in this outbreak remain hospitalized.

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